IIHF Women’s Hockey Officials: Always Moving Forward

The International Ice Hockey Federation recently held an officiating camp in Switzerland with its top female officials. The three-day event included 33 officials — 18 referees and 15 linesmen — from 16 countries. Their slogan: ‘Always Moving Forward.’

[The event] was organized by the IIHF in co-operation with the IIHF Officiating Committee and the Swiss Federal Office of Sports in Magglingen as part of the long-term plan on the development of female officiating and to continuously develop world-class female on-ice officials for the top women’s hockey events in the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship program.

The on-ice officials were mentored by member of the IIHF Officiating Committee and IIHF Referee Supervisors who are considered to work with the top female on-ice officials at IIHF Championships.

The camp program included off-ice and on-ice team building, testing physical conditioning by local sports specialists and classroom sessions.

The main focus was on building a team and create the foundation for establishing trust among the IIHF on-ice officials and officiating staff, provide IIHF female on-ice officials scientific feedback on their respective physical conditioning and suggest practical recommendation for its improvement.